Emergency 911 data messaging

ABSTRACT

A data request is generated (e.g., text, email, SMS, multimedia messaging system (MMS), etc.) from a source device. The data request is delivered to a PSAP or other emergency monitoring service location in a useable format. Exemplary useable formats include a canned voice message, delivery to a call center that translates data to voice, text to speech, and text to instant messaging (IM). Additional information and location are staged for use by the PSAP or other monitoring service location.

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/232,417, entitled “Emergency 911 Data Messaging,” filed on Sep. 17,2008; which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.60/960,119, to Mitchell, Jr., et al., entitled “Routing SMS MessagesUpon Location in a CDMA Network For Emergency Services”, filed Sep. 17,2007, the entirety of which is are expressly incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to telecommunications. Moreparticularly, it relates to wireless messaging and wireless emergencyservices such as E911.

2. Background of the Related Art

9-1-1 is a phone number widely recognized in North America as anemergency phone number that is used to contact emergency dispatchpersonnel. Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) is defined by an emergency call beingselectively routed to an appropriate public service access point (PSAP),based on a special identifier (P-ANI, or “Pseudo Automatic NumberIdentifier”, also referred to as “ESxK”), and includes the transmissionof callback number and location information when 9-1-1 is used. E9-1-1may be implemented for landline, cellular or VoIP networks. A PublicService Answering Point (PSAP) is a dispatch office that receives 9-1-1calls from the public. A PSAP may be a local, fire or police department,an ambulance service or a regional office covering all services. As usedherein, the term “PSAP” refers to either a public safety access point(PSAP), or to an Emergency Call Center (ECC), a VoIP term.

Regardless of the network type, a 9-1-1 service becomes E-9-1-1 whenautomatic number identification and automatic location informationrelated to the call is provided to the 9-1-1 operator at the PSAP. Aprimary challenge results from the fact that calls may arrive at thePSAP without the caller's actual callback number or location informationdisplayed at the emergency operator's terminal.

The result of an E911 call is a direct circuit connection between therequestor and the responder. 911 is further enhanced with the ability todeliver location information over a data channel in parallel to theemergency call. This data is typically staged in a database that isqueried by the PSAP to determine location information.

FIG. 3 depicts an overview of conventional enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) voicecall flow in currently deployed architecture.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, an emergency voice call is initiatedat a mobile station or handset 102, delivered through a relevant radiotower and base station 104 to a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 206. Theemergency voice call is then held while call setup information isdelivered to a location center 222. The location center 222 responds tothe MSC 206 with appropriate call routing information, and triggers arequest for precise location. The MSC 206 releases the call and routesit to the correct PSAP through a selective router 210 based oninformation provided from the location center 222. The location center222 then stages a record in an automatic location information (ALI)database 214. When the precise location information is returned to thelocation center 222 from a position determining entity 226, thislocation coordinate information is compared to a coordinate routingdatabase 224, and the matching address and call back information is thenstaged for retrieval by the ALI database 214.

The current 911 infrastructure was designed to route a voice emergencycall to the local PSAP. Unfortunately, this requires that voice circuitsbe available to carry the emergency call. During times of regionalcrises, such as a hurricane, the local wireless infrastructure canbecome overloaded by call volume. This was experienced during theSeptember 11th terrorist attacks during which voice telecommunicationsalong the East Coast was subject to service failures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an emergencysystem short messaging system (SMS) location proxy comprises aninterface between the SMS location proxy and a short messaging servicecenter (SMSC), and an interface to an emergency services provider. Amodule provides location information relating to an emergency servicesdata message routed via the SMSC and directed toward the emergencyservices provider.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,apparatus for providing 911 equivalent data emergency services comprisesa short messaging system (SMS) location proxy to provide locationinformation relating to an emergency data message. A module receives arequest for location of a data message, and a module provides requestedlocation of a data message to an emergency services provider. In thisway, data emergency services are provided using a non-persistentconnection with an emergency data initiator.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, 911equivalent data emergency services are provided to an emergency datainitiator using a non-persistent connection by associating a request forlocation relating to a non-persistent emergency data message with ageo-location. The request for location is delivered to an appropriateemergency services provider in a format useable by the emergencyservices provider. Location information is staged for use by theemergency services provider.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following description with referenceto the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment for generating an E9-1-1 textmessage with geographic location information for delivery to a PSAP, inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows relevant elements of an SMS location proxy in more detail,in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts an overview of conventional enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) voicecall flow in currently deployed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Short message system (SMS) technology is available to generate SMStraffic from a handset and deliver the message to another handset or toan Internet Address. There is also a wireline SMS capability that hasbeen introduced to deliver an SMS message to non-SMS enabled devices.But SMS is not a persistent connection, and there is no conventionallocation capability associated with SMS. Moreover, conventionaltechnologies do not have the capability to deliver SMS messages to aPSAP.

Public service answering point (PSAP) connectivity to the publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) is managed through dedicated switchescalled emergency services gateways (ESGW) that conventionally can not bedirectly dialed and do not support SMS traffic. Even if the switcheswere able to support the delivery of SMS to the PSAP, there is nocurrently available method for the PSAP to process and display or usethe information from an SMS.

The inventors of the present invention have empirically recognized thatduring times of voice circuit overload, the signaling system No. 7 (SS7)signaling network had excess capacity available to carry short messagetraffic. The present invention enables a Short Message Service (SMS)capability for generating an emergency 911 “equivalent” call. Thiscapability enables SMS savvy consumers to generate requests forassistance to the local Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) that can beunderstood and translated to provide first responders with theinformation they need to offer timely assistance.

This invention offers a solution architecture and method for delivery of911 equivalent requests for emergency assistance using non-voicecentric, and importantly non-persistent connectivity sources such asSMS, email, and autonomous data/message generation devices.

According to the principles of the present invention, a data request isgenerated (e.g., text, email, SMS, multimedia messaging system (MMS),etc.) from a source device. The data request is delivered to a PSAP orother emergency monitoring service location in a useable format.Exemplary useable formats include a canned voice message, delivery to acall center that translates data to voice, text to speech, and text toinstant messaging (IM). Additional information and location are stagedfor use by the PSAP or other monitoring service location.

An overview of the invention for data 911 is now described. While somesimilarities to conventional voice based persistent circuit technologiesexist, the inventive data 911 call flow is broken down into more detailin subsequent sections to specifically delineate significant differencesand uniqueness of the invention.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment for generating an E9-1-1 textmessage with geographic location information for delivery to a PSAP, inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, an example of the invention based onuse of Short Message technology is presented. In this example, thesource of the emergency data message is a handset type of device 102also capable of making a voice call. However, while the handset device102 sends a text message addressed by the user/caller simply as 911instead of dialing a phone number.

In call flow, the 911 emergency text message from the mobilestation/user equipment (MS/UE), or handset, 102 traverses the radionetwork and the base station controller 104, and then is delivered tothe mobile switching center (MSC) 106. The MSC 106 routes the 911emergency text message to an SMS platform (SMSC) 108.

In step 1 of FIG. 1, a user on a handset 102 sends an emergency datamessage (e.g., text) via their servicing Short-Message-Service (SMS)network addressed simply to “911” or other designated Emergency ServicesIdentity. In the given example, the source of the emergency data messagehas a preferable form of MSISDN@carrierdomain.com, though anyappropriate unique address scheme unique to the handset 102 or specificuser is possible.

In step 2, the exemplary emergency SMS data message (e.g., “Help me!”)is routed from the MSC 106 to the relevant SMSC 108.

In step 3, the SMSC 108 routes the exemplary emergency SMS data messageto the SMS location proxy 100.

In step 4, the SMS location proxy 100 initiates a request for routing tothe MPC 114. The emergency SMS data message originating MSISDN and theidentity of the carrier is sent to a mobile positioning center (MPC) 114with the request for routing.

In step 5, the MPC 114 receives the request for routing, and thenrequests information from the network using the current method to derivethe remaining information necessary to request location from thenetwork.

In step 6, the MPC 114 then requests information about the preciselatitude/longitude (lat/lon) and/or rough position (tower/sector) of theemergency texter. The request for routing preferably includes anindicator of “Emergency Services” or similar designation.

In step 7, the network calculates the position of the emergency texterand returns this information to the MPC 114.

In step 8, the MPC 114 uses the “rough” location information (oroptionally: the precise) to determine the routing necessary for theemergency SMS data message, and returns a route destination to the SMSlocation proxy 100.

In step 9, the SMS location proxy 100 routes the emergency SMS datamessage (+appended Location Information—Rough and Precise (whenavailable) to the appropriate PSAP or call center 116.

In step 10, the emergency texting user or emergency text messageinitiator is messaged that their emergency SMS data message has beenreceived. An instant messaging (IM)-like non-persistent connection ismade between the PSAP or call center 116 and the emergency texting useror emergency text message initiator through the SMS location proxy 100.

FIG. 2 shows relevant elements of an SMS location proxy in more detail,in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, the exemplary SMS location proxy 100includes an application module loaded into an appropriate gatewayelement to receive requests for location of a data message. Theexemplary SMS location proxy 100 also includes an application modulethat stages the relevant location information relating to the locationof emergency data messages (e.g., emergency 911 text messages) andtransmits that location information (e.g., lat/long information and/orstreet address information) to an appropriate emergency servicesprovider such as a PSAP or call center 116 (FIG. 1).

While initially envisioned as a method for supporting SMS initiatedemergency 911 text messages, the present invention can also be used fordelivery of other types of non-voice initiated sources usingnon-persistent communications, such as in-vehicle monitoring systems,autonomous monitoring devices for dams/levies, health monitoringequipment, electronic mail, etc. However, in the given example theemergency texting device must be CDMA capable.

This invention enables PSAPs to receive, process, and act upon a widevariety of non-voice messaging information such as a simple text messageto complex image messaging (e.g., MMS).

The present invention can be extended for use to enable automatedsystems to provide text message warnings or notifications to operatormonitored services that have a specific geographic regional coverage.

The invention has particular applicability to the wireless E9-1-1market, including to any US CDMA carrier, and to virtually any companywhich markets devices with CDMA connectivity.

The present invention permits a method for routing an emergency SMS datamessage based upon the general or precise location of an emergencytexting sender's data messaging device.

While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplaryembodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to makevarious modifications to the described embodiments of the inventionwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An emergency system short messaging system (SMS)location proxy, comprising: an interface between said SMS location proxyand a short messaging service center (SMSC); an interface to anemergency service provider; a module to provide location informationassociated with an emergency data message device initiating an emergencydata message routed via said SMSC and directed toward said emergencyservice provider; a module to stage, at said SMS location proxy, saidlocation information associated with said emergency data message device;and a transmitter, at said SMS location proxy, to transmit said proxystaged location information to said emergency service provider.
 2. Theemergency system short messaging system (SMS) location proxy accordingto claim 1, wherein: said emergency service provider is a PSAP.
 3. Theemergency system short messaging system (SMS) location proxy accordingto claim 1, wherein: said emergency service provider is a call center.4. The emergency system short messaging system (SMS) location proxyaccording to claim 1, wherein: said module to stage said locationinformation stages said location information for retrieval by saidemergency service provider.
 5. The emergency system short messagingsystem (SMS) location proxy according to claim 1, wherein: saidemergency data message is a text message.
 6. The emergency system shortmessaging system (SMS) location proxy according to claim 1, wherein:said emergency data message is an email.
 7. The emergency system shortmessaging system (SMS) location proxy according to claim 1, wherein:said emergency data message is a multimedia message system message(MMS).
 8. Apparatus for providing 911 equivalent data emergency service,comprising: a short messaging system (SMS) location proxy to stagelocation information associated with an emergency data message deviceinitiating an emergency data message; a module to request locationinformation associated with said emergency data message device; and atransmitter to transmit said staged location information associated withsaid emergency data message device, from said SMS location proxy to anemergency service provider.
 9. The apparatus for providing 911equivalent data emergency service according to claim 8, wherein: saidstaged location information is provided in response to a request forlocation received from an emergency service provider.
 10. The apparatusfor providing 911 equivalent data emergency service according to claim8, wherein: said emergency data message is a text message.
 11. Theapparatus for providing 911 equivalent data emergency service accordingto claim 8, wherein: said emergency data message is a multimedia messagesystem message (MMS).
 12. The apparatus for providing 911 equivalentdata emergency service according to claim 8, wherein: said emergencydata message is an email.
 13. A method of providing 911 equivalent dataemergency service, comprising: receiving, at a data messaging proxy, anemergency data message from an emergency data messaging device;transmitting, at said data messaging proxy, a routing informationrequest to a positioning center; receiving, at said data messagingproxy, routing information data providing routing information forrouting said emergency data message to an emergency message processingdevice; routing, from said data messaging proxy, said emergency datamessage to said emergency message processing device; staging, at saiddata messaging proxy, location information associated with saidemergency data message device; and transmitting, at said data messagingproxy, said staged location information to said emergency messageprocessing device.
 14. The method of providing 911 equivalent dataemergency service according to claim 13, wherein: said positioningcenter is a mobile positioning center.
 15. The method of providing 911equivalent data emergency service according to claim 13, wherein: saidemergency message processing device is located at a public serviceaccess point (PSAP).
 16. The method of providing 911 equivalent dataemergency service according to claim 13, wherein: said emergency messageprocessing device is located at a call center.
 17. The method ofproviding 911 equivalent data emergency service according to claim 13,wherein: said emergency data message is a text message.
 18. The methodof providing 911 equivalent data emergency service according to claim13, wherein: said emergency data message is an email.
 19. The method ofproviding 911 equivalent data emergency service according to claim 13,wherein: said emergency data message is a multimedia message systemmessage (MMS).
 20. The method of providing 911 equivalent data emergencyservice according to claim 13, wherein: said emergency data message is ashort message service (SMS) message.
 21. The method of providing 911equivalent data emergency service according to claim 13, wherein: saidemergency data message is a signaling system No. 7 (SS7) based datamessage.